Uncertainty looms for schools in early 2013

The outcome of labour disruptions at local public schools remains murky for 2013.

Just two weeks after elementary school teachers in Bracebridge, Huntsville and Gravenhurst held a one-day strike against the bill in December, support staff represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) announced they had plans to hold a one-day strike of their own if the province does not back down from its controversial Bill 115. The teachers and support staff have long feared the bill will take away the right to collective bargaining from school employees, and will impose a two-year contract on staff that limits their ability to strike.

CUPE Local 997 president Lynn Raback, whose chapter represents about 900 custodial, clerical, technical and educational assistant workers in Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB), said the union had hoped for a peaceful resolution before the year ends.

“We’re hoping that the minister will back off on the deadline of December 31, we’re hopeful there is a possibility of an agreement,” Raback said shortly before the new year. “But at this time, if in fact she does move forward and impose collective agreements, then we would have to announce at that time when there would be political action.”

If CUPE members do go on a one-day strike, Raback says there is a possibility that there could be a “significant impact” on TLDSB schools.

“It would be up to the employer to determine whether they can or can’t continue to function without support staff in the building,” she said.

At the time, she said the union is “strongly encouraging” the province to back off from its December 31 deadline.

“From CUPE’s perspective, we’re of the view that there is a possibility of a deal to be made, and the deadline of December 31 is an impediment to that deal,” she said.

Raback’s comments came on the same day that the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) held a press conference in Toronto, in which they announced that they will cease rotating strikes if Education Minister Laurel Broten relented from the December 31 deadline. That offer, the ETFO says, is valid until a new premier is announced.

“The appointment of a new premier will provide an opportunity to take a fresh look at the current collective bargaining impasse and find respectful resolutions,” ETFO president Sam Hammond said in a release. “Education Minister Laurel Broten and her government must realize that Bill 115 is a dangerous piece of legislation. It threatens the very foundations of Ontario’s democratic values and institutions.”

So far, elementary teachers across the province have been withholding extracurricular activities for students as part of their work-to-rule action. ETFO Trillium Lakelands local president Steve Colliver said whether that continues after the December 31 deadline depends on whether or not the province relents. Until collective agreements are imposed, he said teachers remain in a legal strike position, and extracurricular activities will remain suspended.

“If she doesn’t impose collective agreements… until I’m told differently, we will be continuing with the strike action that is currently in place,” he said. “The direction to members would be to not participate in extracurricular activities and to focus on teaching, the things that you get paid to do.”

Colliver said the ETFO is also urging Broten not to “ratchet” the tensions up any more by following through with the December 31 deadline. He said the ETFO is also urging her to simply wait for the next premier’s directive.

“We’re talking about a matter of three and a half weeks, let them decide what the steps forward are,” he said. “Clearly the ball’s in their court.”